Brussels, 22/08/2014 (Agence Europe) - In a press release issued on Friday 22 August, the European Commission explains that it has proposed to provide Belgium with €570,945 from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 479 workers made redundant by Ford in Genk (Belgium) and its suppliers to find new jobs. The money would come from the EGF but needs the approval of the European Parliament and Council of Ministers.
EU Social Affairs Commissioner Lazlo Andor said: “Car production in Europe has dropped considerably in the years of the eurozone crisis, mainly due to falling demand. At the same time, structural change in the car industry responding to globalisation is on-going. Many workers in the motor industry are experiencing hardship and EU solidarity in helping them to manage these difficult transitions is therefore important.”
The closure of the Ford plant in Genk at the end of the year is due to the fact that the EU share in the global market for passenger vehicles has been shrinking in recent years, within the general upward trend of the sector. The European aid will mainly be used to help redundant workers seek work and advise them on jobs and professional training. The Commissioner says this should help workers retrain and find a new job. The total cost of the planned measures is estimated at €1.14 million, half of which would come from the EGF.
Spain. In early August, the European Commission authorised the release of €1,019,184 to help 300 Spanish workers made redundant in the metal industry, mainly in the Valencia region. The aid is aimed to help them find new jobs.
The total estimated cost of the package is €1.7 million, of which the EGF would provide 60%.
The European Parliament and Council of Ministers now need to approve the aid package. (MD)